Polarized light control



SEE -r07 A. C. RUOCCHIO ETAL POLARIZED LIGHT CONTROL Dec. 11, 1962 Filed June 8 1961 F I G. 1

INVENTORS ALBERT C. RUOCCHIO SCHROEDER #4112? DAVID ATTORNEY Albert 6. Eluocchlo, Whitestono, N.Y.., David ehroeder, Her-icon, Wia, designers to Ellusincss Machines t'jorporaiion, New York, Nflfl, a

of New llor This application relates to radiant energy sensing devices and more particularly lo the controlling of the ire tensity of the radiant energy therein. There are many forms of re :iaant energy such as infra-red light, clectro luminesence and others, Each has its owe. form of cletector. However, when a plurality of detectors are lo be controlled from one source of energy, it is difficult to control the intensity of the energy reaching the detector.

in photoelectric circuits, particularly those used 502' easing statistical record cards, wherein a number or" hotoclectric elements are closely spaced, the even distribution of light from one or more light sources presents a problem. if a single source is provided, the light may vary in different parts of the lamp. 5 a plurality of lamps are used, each one will vary in intensity.

lleretofore a sensing system using a plurality oi phoiocclls and a single light source used Lucile rods to conduct the light from the lamp to due cells. This did not care of the intensity of the light reaching each cell.

Some crystals such as tourmaline possess the properly of absorbing light vibrations thai are perpendicular to the axis of the crystal and of permitting the passage of light, the vibrations of which are parallel to this axis. we thin plates or films of such cryslal are placed in a beam of light, the iniensily can be varied by rotating one with respect to the other. The first plale or him acis in polarize the light, i.e., pass all vibrations parallel to the am of the crystal and is known as the yolarizer. if the beam, after having passed rhrough the eolarizer is now allowed to fell on the second plate, known as the analyzer, set so its axis is at right angles to the axis of the first crystal, no light will in transmitted. But, if the second plate is rotated through 90 degrees, thus making the axes of the two crystals parallel, full intensity of the light through she first plate will be transmitted. Any intermediate posh tion of the second plate will vary the intensity accordingly. A well known firm manufactures a polarizing medium comprising a transparent malarial in which tiny crystals having their axes parallel to one another are imbedded.

Therefore, it is the principal object oi this inveulion to provide a control that wil defuse the light inieusily of a system in which a single lamp is use o illuminate a plurality of light sensitive cells.

Another object is to provide adjustable screen for an individual photocell in a syslern comprising a. ,oluraiity of cells for controlling the intensity or? the light received by each from a single light source.

A further object is to orovide a single system using oolarizing screens for controlling the light intensity re ceived by each of a plurality or" cells from a single light source.

The foregoing and other objects, lealures and advanlogos of -the invention will be apparenl from ill-3 follow more particular descriotion or? a preferred 1516. l is a plan view or" a statistical record card reading device incorporating the invention.

MG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

The invention well adapted for use in a reader for statistical record cards. A card is fed between a row of light sensitive cells and a single light source. Light passing through a perforation in such a card will activate the light cell. Variations in cell characteristics and lamp inlensiry make it desirable that adjustments be made to insure an even and equal signal output. This is done by introducing an adjustable polarizing filler between the lamp and ligli'i cell.

in tr e drawing a card ll is shown in reading position on a plate ill having a row of apertures 12 corresponding to a column of index positions on the card. Secured to the bottom of plate ll is plate 14 of dielectric material in which are positioned twelve light sensitive cells 15 corresponding to the index positions of a column of a card.

A frame member is extends over the card. Secured to the bottom of the frame by any well known means is a plate ll? having an aperture 18 aligned with each aperture 12 in plate lllt. Positioned between the plates 16 and 17 is a sheet 2d of polarizing material which provides a polarizer. Frame 36 is formed with circular apertures in axial alignment with the holes 12 and 18, in which are positioned the adjustable analyzer portion of the device. The analyzer comprises a tube 21 to the bottom of which is secured by adhesive or any well known means, a disk 22 of polarizing material. A handle 23 is provided by which the analyzer may be rotated in the plate lo. A set screw 24 provides a lock for maintaining the tube 21 in adiusted position. A single elongated library type lamp in a reflector as provides the light source. This lamp is positioned in any well known inanner or frame not shown to transmit light through tube Zll, disk 22, holes 1% and 12 to activate light cell 15 when there is a perforation in the card 10.

With no card in the device, each tube ll is rotated until the intensity of the light reaching all light cells 15 is equal. Screws 24 are then tightened and the reader is then ready to read the holes in a statistical card and. give an even signal from each of the light sensitive cells when activated.

While lhe invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from me spirit and scope of the-invcaiion.

What is claimed is:

3. lo a photocell system, a light source, a plurality of photocells, associated therewith, a filler comprising a polarizcr and an analyzer, a plate having apertures in axial alignment with each of said cells, a polarizer comanon to all of said apertures, a second plate having apertures in aerial alignment with the apertures in said first plate, a cylinder mounted for rotation in each of the acerzures in said second plate, an analyzer secured in each cylinder and means for rotating 2. cylinder and amiyzcr with respact tensity of light from s for each 021i.

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